My weight is up 29 lbs from my lowest weight (284). I have to change my ticker, but even thinking about it feels like admitting defeat, admitting that the weight won't be coming off any time soon.

As many of you know I have multiple health issues including autoimmune disease which is periodically treated with prednisone and other steroids.

Prednisone is a double-edged sword. I feel amazing on it, but it does insidious damage, while hunger and water retention are forced into overdrive.

I can't use prednisone as an excuse at the moment, but between my health issues and the side effects of medications such as prednisone and others, some weight gain isn't a complete shocker, but now that things halved calmed down some, I can't understand why getting back on track is so difficult.

I've started blogging again, including my daily weight. I may also publish my daily food journal. I haven't decided whether I want to make that much of a time commitment.

I was shocked that my blog was still available as I hadn't posted in over a year, but it was still getting hits and commentary.

Medications are soooo tough. As a sufferer from chronic daily migraines, I've been on a fair share of hunger-inducing meds and I ended up becoming quite depressed and gaining weight (even though I was already gaining anyway). My point is that you are human and you're allowed to not be perfect, regardless of the reason. You truly are an inspiration on this board and the fact that you're struggling underscores the fact that this is not easy. Life happens. Stuff happens. Imperfection happens.

The blog is a wonderful idea! Just take it one day at a time and don't think about the past too much.

Blogging helps me a lot. Not only because I put my weight loss struggles but I like to look at little things you may not say in normal conversation...

I now how hard it is to break that grip of gaining. I often wondered if someone should start a business where they just went around doing an intervention type thing to stop people. It is super hard to do it on your own. Good luck,

Sweety, I don't know what I'd do if I had to take medicine on top of all the other crap I have to watch. Keep your chin up. You're amazing. End of story. I know you're having tough times. They won't be forever!

We're all here cheering you on, kaplods. It's so hard when medication is working against your weight loss efforts. I hope that you find blogging to be helpful. We are all here for you in solidarity! Hugs!

I, too, have started blogging. I've had a lot of trouble losing weight, but I always find I do things better when I have an audience. I don't think many people read my blog, but having it out there at all really helps. It makes me think twice before eating.

Tanks everyone, your words of support and wisdom, and just the fact you're all " here" really helps tremendously.

I haven't felt such intense desperation a very long time. I haven't felt helpless and hopeless in an even much longer time. The past couple days were the absolute worst, as I saw my weight climb despite eating on plan, or close to it, without overeating or my TOM, or some other reasonable explanation in sight.

Yes, Well, today, at least I got a partial explanation when taking my morning pills. I noticed that one of my blood pressure medication (which includes a diuretic) was missing from the mix. I checked the pill organizer and saw that it had been missing from my pill organizer all week.

This at least explains why the gains kept snowballing.

I've already dropped several pounds in the few hours since taking the medication this morning.

I hope you're feeling better soon I Haven't posted in a while but I always enjoy reading your posts. They are always so helpful and detailed and I really appreciate that you take the time to help others with your posts. I would love to check out your blog.

I don't have any advice to impart but I want to send my best wishes and to tell you that I think you're fantastic, your wisdom, warmth and humour have got me through some difficult times. Your ability to tell a difficult truth with immeasurable kindness and humanity is something I could do with lots more of and makes this messageboard unique.